Dianne Brumley is the Director of Choral Activities and Professor of Music Education at the University of Texas at Brownsville where she conducts the University Master Chorale and teaches choral conducting, choral techniques and guides the choral music education program. Active in Texas choral music for many years, Brumley is also the founding Conductor / Artisitic Director of the South Texas Chorale and Festival Orchestra. Her choirs have been recognized throughout the state of Texas, the United States and internationally for achievement in choral music.

Brumley serves as a frequent guest conductor, clinician, consultant and adjudicator within Texas and the United States. Previously, Brumley served as Vice-President of the Church / Community Division of TCDA and as National Chairperson for Women’s Choruses for ACDA. Additionally, she has served in numerous regional and state capacities with TMEA and UIL.

Brumley has been the recipient of numerous civic and professional awards including Distinguished Graduate from the School of Music at Southwest Texas State University, the Charles B. Feldman Arts Award, and the AAUW Outstanding Women of Achievement Award. Most recently, Brumley was named, by Texas State University, a Woman of Note and was among one hundred women honored at the dedication of the university’s permanent exhibit of Southwest Texas Women: The First Hundred Years.

Brumley holds a MME from Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University at San Marcos) and has completed further study at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York.



Dr. Fred Hardin recently served as the Deputy Superintendent of Secondary Education for the Lubbock Independent School District. The LISD is a school district of roughly 28,500 students on the South Plains in west Texas. Prior to this appointment in 2003, Dr. Hardin served a myriad of different roles within the school district. He has held the titles of assistant superintendent for secondary education, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, as well as a variety of roles as a campus administrator including principal at Preston Smith Elementary School and assistant principal at both Monterey and Coronado High School.

Prior to entering the administrative ranks, Dr. Hardin was a successful music educator for thirteen years. He served as the band director at Monterey High School, the band and orchestra director at Tascosa High School in Amarillo and began his teaching career at Atkins Junior High School in Lubbock. His ensembles were consistent award winners at University Interscholastic League competitions as well as contests from Florida to Hawaii.

Dr. Hardin has also entertained thousands of students across the country with his servant leadership based workshops. These workshops are designed to provide a hands-on experience with leadership and to make the role of the leader one that focuses on leadership as a giving activity rather than a resume builder.

Dr. Hardin holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Texas Tech University, a Master of Arts from West Texas State University, and a Doctor of Education degree from Texas Tech University. He was recognized by Texas Tech University as a Distinguished Music Educator in 2005. He is also highly involved in civic and church related activities having most recently been appointed to a fifteen member commission charged with studying the need for additional performing arts venues in Lubbock. He has been married to his wife K’Aun for twenty years. K’Aun is an elementary music teacher in the LISD. The have a daughter, Michaela who is 13 and also very involved in music.



James F. Keene serves as Director of Bands and holds the title of Brownfield Professor of Music at the University of Illinois. Appointed in 1985, he is only the fourth to hold the Director of Bands position since 1905.

During his 22-year tenure at Illinois, the Symphonic Band and Wind Symphony, under his direction, have been selected to perform for every major music conference in the U.S. including the American Bandmasters Association (three times), College Band Directors National Association (twice) and the Music Educators National Conference (twice). They have toured throughout the country, as well as Great Britain, and have performed in several of the America’s most prestigious concert halls including historic Orchestra Hall in Chicago and Carnegie Hall in New York. His ensembles have produced an extensive recording series on several labels, including the Masterpiece Series distributed by EMI-Toshiba of Japan. These recordings have been broadcast on National Public Radio in the U. S., as well as radio programs throughout the world in such diverse places as the United Kingdom, Tokyo, Warsaw, Tel Aviv, Sydney and most recently, Vatican Radio.

Professor Keene received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Michigan, where he was a student of the legendary William D. Revelli, Elizabeth A. H. Green, and Larry Teal. He returned to his alma mater in 1973 to serve a two-year tenure as Assistant Director of Bands. In addition, he has produced outstanding programs at all levels and prior to his appointment at Illinois, his career highlights include building nationally acclaimed ensembles at East Texas State (now Texas A and M-Commerce) and the University of Arizona.

Mr. Keene is Past-President of the prestigious American Bandmasters Associations, as well as the National Band Association and The Big Ten Band Directors Association. For several years he served as chairman of the ABA/Ostwald Composition Contest, and is currently a member of the Editorial Board of The Journal of Band Research.

In addition to membership in several professional and honorary societies, Mr. Keene is an Evans Scholar, a Past-President of the Champaign Rotary Club, and a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary International Foundation. In 1993 Professor Keene was named as an honorary member of the Board of Directors of the International Percy Grainger Society in recognition of his devotion to the music of Grainger; he also serves on the Board of Directors of the John Philip Sousa Foundation and the historic Goldman Memorial Band of New York City. In 2002, Professor Keene was named Honorary Life Member of the Texas Bandmasters Association, becoming only the sixth person to be so honored in the 55-year history of that organization.

Professor Keene is in constant demand as conductor, clinician, lecturer and adjudicator, and has appeared in those capacities in forty-two states and on four continents. In 2006-07, Professor Keene is scheduled to conduct in Australia, Singapore, China and Europe in addition to a busy schedule of appearances throughout the U.S.



David Kneupper is an award-winning composer and sound designer currently living in Los Angeles, specializing in original music for museums, theme parks, film and the concert stage.

David holds a Master of Music Theory and a Ph.D. in Fine Arts from Texas Tech University, and has composed extensively for Universal Studios, the Walt Disney Co., Warner Bros., Six Flags and many others. A six-time recipient of the Themed Entertainment Association's prestigious THEA Award for Outstanding Achievement, his music can be heard daily in dozens of exhibits and attractions across the United States, Europe and Asia. In addition to entertainment projects, David composes actively for the concert stage. Recent commissions include Centennial Celebration for chorus and orchestra, West Texas Suite and Civil War Suite for full orchestra, Peach Creek for concert band and Waves for string orchestra. His Passacaglia and Fugue Rondo received its Carnegie Hall debut in 1993.

David is also an award-winning sound designer. A member of the Motion Pictures Sound Editors Guild, his feature film credits as sound supervisor include What Dreams May Come, U-Turn, Sudden Death, Terminal Velocity, Bad Company among many others. A successful entrepreneur, David is former President of Soundelux, the Academy Award®-winning film sound company in Hollywood.



Gary Lewis is Director of Orchestral Studies and Professor of Music in the College of Music at the University of Colorado at Boulder. He is also the Music Director and Conductor of the Midland-Odessa (TX) Symphony Orchestra. At the University of Colorado Mr. Lewis conducts the University Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra and oversees the entire orchestra program. He also leads the graduate program in orchestral conducting including both the masters and doctoral level.

Mr. Lewis is equally at home with professional, university, and youth ensembles. In addition to his regular position with the Midland-Odessa Symphony Orchestra, he has conducted performances with the Quad Cities Symphony Orchestra, the New Symphony Orchestra (Sofia, Bulgaria), the Western Plains Opera Theater, and the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra. Lewis served as the Resident Conductor of the Pine Mountain Music Festival (opera and symphonic) for seven years and was the founding conductor of the Caprock Pro Musica.

Lewis received the Master of Music degree in conducting from Texas Tech University and the Bachelor of Music Education degree from The University of Oklahoma. His post-graduate work includes participation in the Pierre Monteux School for Orchestral Conductors and the Tanglewood Conducting Seminar. He has served on the faculties of Texas Tech University, The Ohio State University, The University of Michigan, and Abilene Christian University.



Jon Locke currently serves as the President of Choice Music Events, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing all band, choir, and orchestra students with positive, educational, and enriching performance opportunities. Mr. Locke’s duties currently include serving on the Board of Trustees and assisting with the day-to-day operation of the development and provision of events that serve music students of all levels.

In addition to his involvement with CME, Mr. Locke actively participates in The Foundation for Music Education, a not-for-profit organization that assists in the acquisition and distribution of music education scholarships to future band, choir, and orchestra directors. He has been involved with fundraising efforts for music education scholarships since 1997. Mr. Locke has set goals for the foundation to raise and distribute $250,000 per calendar year by the 2010. He currently serves on the Texas Tech College of Visual and Performing Arts Dean’s Circle.

Throughout his tenure as the CEO and President of Director’s Choice, Mr. Locke’s leadership assisted the company to become the largest company of its kind in the southwest United States. In 2005, the company assisted more than 40,000 band, choir, and orchestra participants travel across the United States and Mexico attending various music competitions and performance opportunities. After receiving his Bachelors Degree from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, Mr. Locke started his career as a band director at Lubbock-Cooper High School in 1986. He continued his teaching career at Frenship High School in Wolfforth, Texas in 1993 and exited the teaching field to develop and operate a festival and tour business in 1998.

During Mr. Locke’s twelve years of teaching at Lubbock-Cooper High School and Frenship High School, his bands and students attained many high honors and dramatically improved the programs. His bands were awarded many University Interscholastic League honors that included the UIL Sweepstakes Award twelve different times and the UIL State Solo and Ensemble Sweepstakes Award. In addition, Mr. Locke’s bands were awarded the Outstanding Band in Class at the Bluebonnet Classic Music Festival, Big D Classic Music Festival, South Coast Music Festival, Greater Southwest Music Festival, Texas Tech Marching Festival, Zia Marching Festival, and the New Mexico Tournament of Bands.

Mr. Locke has served as TMEA Region Band Chairman, TMEA Region Band Host and served on the UIL Prescribed Music List Committee. In addition, he continues to serve as an active resource for bands in New Mexico, Oklahoma, and across Texas. His professional affiliations have included the Texas Music Educator’s Association, Texas Bandmaster’s Association, Texas Choral Director’s Association, Texas Orchestra Director’s Association, Texas Music Adjudicator’s Association, Kappa Kappa Psi, Texas State Tour Operators Association, Student & Youth Travel Association, and National Tour Association.



Anthony J. Maiello received both his bachelor's and master's degrees in music from Ithaca College in l965 and l967, respectively. He also studied at the National Conducting Institute in Washington, D.C., under the direction of Mr. Leonard Slatkin, Musical Director of the National Symphony Orchestra. He also serves as a Cover Conductor for the National Symphony Orchestra at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C.

Mr. Maiello's many professional credits include clinician, adjudicator and guest conductor of All-State, All-State Sectional, Regional, District, All-County and All-City ensembles, with appearances throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, England, Europe, The Netherlands and The Bahamas. He conducted musical activities for the Gold Medal Ceremonies at the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid, New York, the New York State Music Camp & Institute; has served as New York State Music Association adjudicator; clinician with Yamaha, and clinician for Warner Bros. Publications, President of the International Association of Jazz Educators - New York State Chapter and as Musical Director for Music Festivals International. He is an elected member of The American Bandmasters Association and ASCAP, and holds membership in the National Band Association, College Band Directors National Association, New York State School Music Association, Virginia Music Educators Association, Virginia Jazz Service Organization, The College Music Society and The American Symphony Orchestra League.

Mr. Maiello's academic experience includes extensive teaching in the public schools. He served as Professor of Music and Chairman of Performance at the Crane School of Music, Potsdam College of SUNY, Potsdam, New York, where his duties included advanced instrumental conducting, applied clarinet, woodwind and percussion techniques; and conductor of the Crane Wind Ensemble. Under his direction, the ensembles at Crane and George Mason University have commissioned many new works, made numerous recordings and appearances statewide and at regional and national conferences in the United States and Canada. He is the author of CONDUCTING: A HANDS-ON-APPROACH, CONDUCTING NUANCES: LITTLE THINGS MEAN A LOT, and co-author of the 21st CENTURY BAND METHOD.

Anthony Maiello travels widely presenting clinics, lectures and workshops, and guest conducting and adjudicating numerous music festivals. He is presently Professor of Music and Director of Instrumental Studies at George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia where he conducts the Symphony Orchestra and Wind Symphony and teaches several conducting courses. Professor Maiello was awarded the title of “University Professor” by the Board of Visitors, the highest rank given to faculty members at George Mason University. Mr. Maiello has also served as Associate Conductor of The McLean Orchestra, McLean, Virginia, and has been appointed an Honorary Conductor of The United States Navy Band, Washington, D.C. and is presently the conductor of the American Festival Philharmonic Orchestra, and the American Wind Symphony, Washington, D.C.



Scott Maples is a Financial Advisor with Southwest Financial Group in Lubbock, Texas.

Scott earned his Bachelor's degree from Texas Tech University in 1993. He also earned the SCP designation as a Certified SpecialCare and Special Needs Planner from The American College in Bryn Mawr, PA. in 2004 and holds the CLTC designation from the Corporation from Long Term Care Certification. In addition, Scott holds a Series 6, 63 and 65 securities license and is a corporate RIA with MML Investors Services,Inc.

While having a practice as a comprehensive financial advisor, Scott specializes in working with clients in the areas of Special Needs Planning, Business Continuation Planning, Selective Executive Benefits, Estate Protection, Wealth Transfer Planning and Tax-Savings Strategies for Business Owners.

Scott is a perennial Leaders Club qualifier and a multi year Blue Chip Club Qualifier for MassMutual Financial Group, as well as, a multi year Million Dollar Round Table and Texas Leader Round Table Grand Council Qualifier. He was named Advisor of the year in 2003 with Southwest Financial Group/MassMutual Lubbock agency.

Scott's primary interests are his wife, Rachel and two sons, Harrison and Luke. In addition, Scott is an avid cyclist and routinely rides 6,000 - 7,000 miles per year while competing on the Texas Bicycle Racing Association Circuit for the Lubbock based Delirium Racing squad.

OUTSIDE ORGANIZATIONS - Scott currently serves as Director of Team Delirium Racing and is a member of the West Texas Cycling Association and USA Cycling. He currently serves on the Finance Committee for Lakeridge United Methodist Church in Lubbock, Texas and as a Board Member for The Foundation for Music Education.



Dana Pradervand is in her 21st year of teaching and her eight year at Judson High School in the Judson Independent School District in Converse, Texas. She began her career in 1987 in the Lubbock ISD as assistant director at Monterey High School. Three years later she accepted a position as head director at Evans Junior High School.

From 1992-2000, Dana was Director of Bands at John H. Wood Middle School in the North East ISD of San Antonio, Texas. During her tenure, the Wood Middle School Band earned numerous UIL Sweepstakes Awards and Best In Class Honors at invitational festivals. In 1998 and 1996, the Wood MS Honor Band finished 8th and 5th, respectively, in the TMEA CCC Honor Band Competition.

In 2001, Dana accepted the position of Director of Bands at Judson High School and the band program has received many honors. Most recently, the Judson HS Honor Band was selected to perform at the 2005 Bands of America National Concert Band Festival in Indianapolis, Indiana. In 2006, the Judson traveled to Hawaii to perform a "Heroes Concert" at Pearl Harbor. And most recently, the Judson Honor Band received an invitation to perform in Carnegie Hall in 2008

Dana Pradervand attended Texas Tech University where she received her Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Music while a student of James Sudduth. She is currently a student of Eddie Green. Dana is an active adjudicator and clinician. She is a member of TMEA, TBA, TMAA, and Phi Beta Mu. She currently serves as the Region 12 Vice President and is also a charter member of the Board of Trustees for Choice Music Events.



After graduating from Lubbock High School, Karen Savage earned a Bachelor's degree in Education from Oklahoma University, a Master's degree in Guidance and Counseling from Southern Methodist University and did post-graduate work at the University of New Mexico. Karen taught at Thomas Jefferson High School in Dallas for 11 years before relocating to Santa Fe, N.M. to run a one-room school for adjudicated Native American adolescents for Intermountain Centers for Human Development for 15 years. Karen retired from teaching in L.I.S.D. in 2002, after 31 years in the profession.

Karen is currently self-employed and owns real estate investment property in Lubbock. She is a member of both the Lubbock and the Texas Apartment Associations, as well as the Lubbock and the Texas Retired Teachers Associations.

Karen is very involved in the Lubbock music scene where she serves on the Board of Directors for the Friends of Music, the Lubbock Moonlight Musicals, and the Lubbock Jazz Festival Committee. She also serves on the Lubbock Public Library Board, as well as the Guadalupe-Parkway Neighborhood Centers Board.

Karen is an active member of Westminster Presbyterian Church where she has served on Session as an ordained Elder.



Nathan Ziegler is a founding partner of the Lubbock law firm of Hurd, Ziegler & Trevino, LLP. He and his law firm represent numerous municipalities, and his areas of practice include municipal / governmental law, business entity & non-profit formation and representation, and estate planning & administration.

During 1999 and 2000, Nathan served as a Lubbock County Commissioner. Prior to working in County Government, Nathan worked in State Government, serving as chief of staff and legislative director for State Representative Carl Isett. Nathan worked in this capacity during three legislative sessions.

Nathan is active in his church, and in addition to his work with The Foundation for Music Education, he serves on the Board of Directors of the West Texas Housing Finance Corporation and the Bridge of Lubbock. Nathan is also active in the Lubbock Lion’s Club.

Nathan grew up in Lubbock and received his undergraduate degree in English from Texas Tech in 1995. He then attended law school at Texas Tech and received his JD in 1998.

Nathan has been married 12 years to Sondra Ziegler, who worked six years for US Senator Phil Gramm and served as his West Texas regional director. Nathan and Sondra have three children: Abigail (age 6); Alexandra (age 4); and Samuel (7 months). Sondra now stays at home and raises their children.